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The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia's bold pledge to eliminate plastic pollution
Students in a school in Phnom Penh supporting the no plastic pledge programme. - Photo: Phnom Penh Post/ANN PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Cambodia has reaffirmed its strong commitment to eradicating plastic pollution by launching nationwide campaigns that have mobilised millions in the fight against environmental degradation. The pledge came two months ahead of global treaty negotiations, where countries will convene to develop a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth said the government's "Clean Land' policy, along with campaigns such as "Today, I Don't Use Plastic Bags' and "Plastic-Free National Roads,' aims to curb plastic waste, improve public sanitation, and foster a culture of environmental responsibility, reported Fresh News. "The initiatives have encouraged widespread public involvement in reducing plastic use and cleaning up environments across households, communities, public spaces, and national highways. "As of April 21, 2025, more than 11 million individuals, including citizens, monks, and relevant stakeholders, have pledged not to use plastic bags. Over six million individuals have joined the campaigns,' Sophalleth said at the National Environment Day and World Environment Day celebrations held on Thursday. The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to create an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine environment, will take place from August 5 to 14 in Switzerland. Cambodia continues to grapple with mounting plastic waste challenges, as its growing population, rapid economic growth, and urbanisation have significantly increased the use of non-degradable plastics in everyday life. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his World Environment Day message that plastic pollution is choking the planet - harming ecosystems and the climate. "Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean and endangers wildlife. In two months, countries will come together to hammer out a new global treaty to end plastic pollution. "We need an ambitious, credible and just agreement this year. One that covers the life-cycle of plastic, through the perspective of circular economies,' he said. World Environment Day is marked globally on June 5, and this year's theme is "Beat Plastic Pollution'. The United Nations Environment Programme estimated that 11 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems each year, while microplastics accumulate in the soil from sewage and landfills, due to the use of plastics in agricultural packaging. The annual social and environmental cost of plastic pollution ranges between RM1.2 trillion to RM2.4 trillion (US$300 billion and US$600 billion). - Bernama World Environment Day, Cambodia, United Nations, Antonio Guterres, Ministry of Environment
The Star
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Vocal govt critic Heng Sithy extradited from Russia to Cambodia on ‘blackmail' charges
PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): A former businessman Heng Sithy, who has levelled accusations of corruption and complicity in online scam operations at senior members of the Cambodian government, has been extradited from Russia to face charges of 'aggravated blackmail'. He arrived in Cambodia's capital lon Saturday (May 24) night. Chhay Kim Khoeun, spokesperson for the National Police, was quoted by local media outlet Fresh News as saying that Sithy was extradited under an agreement between the Cambodian and Russian governments, pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by the investigating judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for 'aggravated blackmail' committed in Cambodia in November 2024. He was arrested in Russia on January 13, following a request from to Interpol from Cambodia. Kim Khoeun said Sithy is currently under the jurisdiction of the court for further legal proceedings. His charges carry a possible prison sentence of from five to ten years. Sithy, who once managed the Maritime Group, which included a resort and a bank, has publicly claimed that Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, Hun To, a prominent Okhna, and Sar Thet, Commissioner-General of the National Police, actively protect online criminals in Cambodia. His allegations have been repeatedly refuted by the interior ministry, the national police and Hun To, who deemed them 'fabricated information with malicious intent aimed at misleading the public'. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Cambodian Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete Mab Sokhouy wins Absolute Pro Championship Belt at AFG Open
Mab Sokhouy is the first ever Cambodian to claim a title at the Absolute Pro Championship, part of the AFG Open Championship. - Photo: Phnom Penh Post/ANN PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodian jiu-jitsu athlete Mab Sokhouy won the Absolute Pro Championship Belt at the 2025 AFG Open Championship, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) announced on Monday (May 19). The 23-year-old secured the historic win after defeating opponents in matches held on May 17-18 at the Rangsit University in Bangkok, Thailand. In the semifinal, Sokhouy beat Lucy Greenway, a black belt from Wales, to secure a win by points after a full eight-minute match, the news release said. In the final, she met Malaysia's top-seeded Mia Foo and once again won by points after another eight-minute bout. "This marks Cambodia's first AFG Championship Belt and highlights Sokhouy's technical ability and composure on the international stage," the news release said. The Ju-Jitsu Federation of Cambodia said in a statement that competing in the Absolute Pro Division-an open weight category where athletes of all weight classes face each other-Sokhouy entered as one of the lightest athletes in the bracket. "We extend our congratulations to Mab Sokhouy on this excellent result and are extremely proud of her," the statement said. - Xinhua
The Star
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Visit Angkor' app launched as just one-third of international tourists visit temples
PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): More than 1.8 million foreign tourists visited Cambodia in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of over 16% compared to the same period in last year. The increase coincides with the launch of the trial version of the APSARA National Authority (ANA)'s new 'Visit Angkor' mobile app. The ANA created the app to boost the tourism sector in Siem Reap province and enhance the value of the Angkor Archaeological Park. It is available on the App Store, Play Store or via QR code download. A May 6 ANA press release highlighted the app's three main features. The first, 'Temple Features', provides historical information, tour routes, points of interest at each temple, temple maps, and tourist facilities like restrooms, parking and information centres, The second, 'Beyond Temples', offers details on annual events, museums, community tourism initiatives and popular entertainment sites in Siem Reap. The third, 'Code of Conduct', informs users about behaviour to avoid when visiting the Angkor complex. 'In addition to its main functions, the app will also provide regular updates about APSARA's activities, annual events, ways to contact relevant authorities in cases of emergency during temple visits and a feedback section allowing users to send anonymous suggestions,' explained the release. 'These can help improve the services the ANA provides, including sanitation and environmental issues,' it added. Keo Thy, head of the Angkor Tour Guide Association, welcomed the launch of the 'Visit Angkor' app, saying it would significantly enhance convenience for tourists and those interested in learning about the ancient temples of Siem Reap. He noted that such online tools not only help users access information and submit documents remotely, but also reduce costs. He noted that this isn't the ANA's first digital initiative — online ticket purchases for visiting Angkor are also available. 'Making things more convenient for tourists is part of encouraging and attracting more visitors to the ancient temples of Siem Reap,' he told The Post.' According a May 8 statement from the Ministry of Tourism, the Jan-Mar period saw the Kingdom welcome 1.84 million foreign tourists an 16.1% increase over the same period in 2024. The top source of arrivals was Thailand (501,666 visitors, up 19.5%), followed by Vietnam (304,634, up 1.8%), China (286,156, up 50.6%) and several others US, Laos, South Korea, France, the UK, Indonesia and Japan. The statement explained that of the total number of visitors, around 1.01 million entered via land, 789,384 by air and 32,203 by water. According to Angkor Enterprises, who are responsible for ticket sales at the Angkor Archaeological Park, from January to April 2025, a total of 474,810 foreign tourists purchased passes, generating around $22.2 million in revenue — an increase of 11.5% over the same period in 2024. This indicates that around only one-third of international tourists visited the Kingdom's most well-known tourist attraction. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BYD breaks ground on assembly plant in Cambodia
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has broken ground on a new assembly plant in Cambodia, marking an expansion of its production capabilities in Southeast Asia. The firm is investing around $32m for the initial phase of constructing a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) vehicle assembly facility, reported Phnom Penh Post. Spanning 12ha, the facility is located in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone. It will assemble both pure electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The facility is expected to commence production in November this year and will have an anticipated annual production capacity of 10,000 vehicles. The construction of the BYD assembly plant is expected to be completed by October. Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin and first vice-president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) Sun Chanthol were present at the groundbreaking event. Chanthol was quoted by the publication as saying: 'BYD's investment reflects the confidence foreign investors have in the Cambodian government, thanks to the smart and capable leadership across generations. Under the CDC's leadership, we continue to improve the business and investment environment through promoting investment laws, outreach abroad and simplifying related procedures.' Cambodia's EV sector is experiencing a small but rapid growth. Registrations of EVs soared to 2,253 units in 2024, an increase from the 313 recorded in 2023. The new plant in Cambodia represents BYD's second venture in Southeast Asia, following the establishment of a facility in Thailand in July 2024, which boasts an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles. Further expansion in the region includes BYD's plans to complete its $1bn Indonesian plant by the end of 2025, according to a January report of Reuters. BYD's Indonesia president director Eagle Zhao had stated that the plant's long-term strategy is focused on the export market. The Indonesia plant is being constructed at an industrial complex in Subang, West Java. It will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 EV units. This month, BYD reported a 100.4% year-on-year increase in net profit attributable to shareholders for the first quarter of the 2025 financial year. Its net profits reached 9.15bn yuan ($1.3bn). "BYD breaks ground on assembly plant in Cambodia" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
